I'm so, very, very, very exited to be sharing with you all my first real crochet pattern! I debated long and seriously about whether to make this a free pattern or not but in the end I decided that since this is such a fledgling blog and since the pattern is so easy, I would do better to just give it to you all for free!
This pattern is dedicated to my baby daughter who is just about to be a toddler. She is very feisty about keeping her hood up or hat on but seems to do just fine with a cowl. And what is more darling than a baby in a cowl? Nothing, I tell you. But wait! Don't be fooled by the name of this pattern. You can easily wear it as a neckwarmer or earwarmers for yourself as well! It's very versatile, just how I like it. In fact, I didn't even realize how versatile it was until one of my testers sent me photos of her wearing it in different ways. That's truly the best thing about having a community of crafters who you can go to for help. They are always full of amazingly creative ideas! For ideas on how to wear this or to see my testers' photos, check out the Ravelry pattern page!

Warning: Buttons may be a choking hazard for small babies. Cowl is meant for use as a photo prop or dress-up only and child should not be left unattended or unsupervised while wearing it.

Customization options: For a lacier, lighter weight cowl, try using sport weight yarn with the same size hooks.
Circumference of the cowl can be adjusted by chaining a larger number in row 1; just chain any even number plus one. Finished cowl as written should measure approximately 22 inches around.

Special stitches:
Bobble: *Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over and pull yarn through two loops on your hook (you should now have two loops still on your hook). Repeat from * twice more in same stitch then yarn over and pull through all four loops on your hook.

Directions:
Row 1: With larger hook chain 71. Switch to smaller hook and Sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each stitch across. (70 sc)

Row 2: Chain 5, turn work. Sl st in 1st sc, ch 1, sc in 1st st (same st you just sl stitched into). *Bobble in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from* until 1 st remains. Sc in last st.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in 1st 2 sts, *sc in ch 1 sp, sc in next dc. Repeat from * Note: at the end of the row, be sure to sc into the space made by the beginning ch 4 in Row 4 and in the 3rd chain of that turning chain. See image below.

Row 17: Ch 1, turn. Sc in 1st 2 sts, *sc in ch 1 sp, sc in next dc. Repeat from * Note: at the end of the row, be sure to sc into the space made by the beginning ch 4 in Row 16 and in the 3rd chain of that turning chain.

Finishing: Sew buttons onto the opposite side from the buttonholes made in rows 2, 6, 10, and 14. Make sure that your buttons will fit through the buttonhole made by the chain 5. If you would like to use smaller or larger buttons, make fewer or more chains at the beginning of these rows. Button used in example measure ½ an inch in diameter.

This pattern was created and written by Lauren Foley. The pattern is not to be distributed, for free or for money, in any format without the permission of Lauren Foley. Sales are allowed on finished items made from this pattern, however please give credit to the designer.